Due to the latest winter weather system which has resulted in a central United States winter storm February 2023 — which will also affect southern Canada — consider ensuring that you have alternate plans ready to be implemented in case your travels are adversely affected.
Major Winter Storm For Central United States: February 2023 Travel Alert
The following statement is currently posted at the official Internet web site of the National Weather Service of the United States:
Major Winter Storm to Bring Hazardous Weather from the West to the Northeast This Week
A prolonged major winter storm will spread a large swath of heavy snow from the West Coast to the Midwest today into Thursday which is expected to be extremely disruptive to travel, infrastructure, livestock, and recreation in affected areas. Farther east, heavy snow and an icy mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain will impact the Great Lakes and Northeast late Wednesday and Thursday.
The map of the United States from the National Weather Service indicates that winter storm warnings, blizzard warnings, water storm watches, and winter weather advisories have been issued from northwestern California all the way to southeastern Ontario.
Accumulation of up to as much as 30 inches of snow is expected in the higher elevations of the Rocky Mountains in Montana, Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado — as well as from central South Dakota to central Wisconsin. The general swath of snow is expected to stretch from southwestern British Columbia and northeastern California all the way to southeastern Ontario.
Meanwhile, much of the southeastern United States is forecast to be receiving significant precipitation with steady rain, with some areas experiencing thunderstorms and severe weather. Travel will be affected accordingly.
Flight Waivers, Delays and Cancellations
If you are traveling to, from, or within the central United States and southern Canada over the next few of days or so, expect delays and cancellations of flights. Keep up to date on the latest information pertaining to this winter weather system which may adversely affect your travel plans. Better yet, postponing or canceling your trip might be a better option — no matter which mode of travel you plan on taking.
If you have a flight scheduled, your flight may be delayed or canceled — and you may be eligible for a waiver of a fee to change your itinerary.
Here are seven airlines which have issued travel alerts as a result of this weather system:
- Delta Air Lines has issued travel alerts for:
- Seven airports in Minnesota for Monday, February 20, 2023 through Friday, February 24; and Monday, February 27, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Calgary, Jackson, and Salt Lake City for Monday, February 20, 2023 through Wednesday, February 22, 2023; and Saturday, February 25, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- United Airlines has issued travel alerts for:
- 26 airports in eight states in the northern plains region of the United States for Tuesday, February 21, 2023 through Wednesday, February 22, 2023; and Sunday, February 26, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Toronto and 31 airports in twelve states in the midwestern region of the United States for Wednesday, February 22, 2023 through Thursday, February 23, 2023; and Monday, February 27, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Southwest Airlines has issued travel alerts for seven airports in four states for Monday, February 20, 2023 through Wednesday, February 22, 2023; and Wednesday, March 8, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- JetBlue Airways has issued travel alerts for Denver, Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Salt Lake City, and Steamboat Springs for Tuesday, February 21, 2023 through Wednesday, February 22, 2023; and Saturday, February 25, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Sun Country Airlines has issued travel alerts for Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Eau Claire, Rochester, Duluth, and Green Bay for Tuesday, February 21, 2023 through Friday, February 24, 2023; and Friday, March 3, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Air Canada has issued travel alerts for:
- Montréal, Ottawa, and Québec City for Thursday, February 23, 2023.
- Both airports which serve Toronto for Wednesday, February 22, 2023 through Thursday, February 23, 2023.
- Calgary and Saint John’s for Monday, February 20, 2023 through Tuesday, February 21, 2023.
- Sept-Îles and Deer Lake for Monday, February 20, 2023.
- WestJet Airways has issued travel alerts for:
- Montréal and southern Ontario for Wednesday, February 22, 2023 through Thursday, February 23, 2023.
- Calgary for Monday, February 20, 2023 through Tuesday, February 21, 2023.
Final Boarding Call
Do not be surprised to see additional airlines issue travel waivers — as well as existing travel waivers being extended — as this winter weather system progresses towards the east.
Be sure to contact your airline or transportation provider for the latest information pertaining to your travels — if they are adversely affected — and please: travel safely.
Photograph ©2010 by Brian Cohen.
